Measuring Stress; Physiological Measures - Geer &

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Physiological measures of stress?

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Measuring Stress; Physiological Measures - Geer &

Stress was measured via GSR and heart rate

Objective - GSR is a physiological measure of stress that can be scientifically measured and compared against a base line, are Physiological measures always valid? e.g. heart rate can be influenced by caffeine intake. Could have improved validity by asking participants to complete self-reports.

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Measuring Stress; Self-report - Holmes & Rahe

What was studied in Holmes & Rahe?

What was the method in Holmes & Rahe?

What were the findings/conclusions in Holmes & Rahe?

What are some possible evaluation points in Holmes & Rahe?

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Measuring Stress; Self-report - Holmes & Rahe

Life events as stressors

Cross sectional sample of 394 participants, rated 43 life events

Social readjustment & rating scale was based on mean scores. Strong correlations were found between gender, age & religion but less correlation between white and black participants. Top 5 were death of a spouse, divorce, marital separation, imprisonment and death of a close relative.

1. Cross sectional sample - are some of these events more westernized? 2. Self-report methods - qualitative data 3. easy to collect data from a large sample 4. how valid are self-report methods? social desirability bias & demand characteristics.

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Measuring Stress; Combined approach - Johanson

What measures of stress did Johanson use?

What are the strengths and weaknesses of these measures?

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Measuring Stress; Combined approach - Johanson

Stress was measured by adrenalin levels in urine, temperature, self-rating scales and caffeine and nicotine intake.

Concurrent validity – physiological and self-report measures showed increased levels of stress in the high risk group. lack of validity with self reports, high validity of physiological measures.